If you’ve felt like spring has been unusually slow to arrive across Southern Ontario this year, you’re not imagining it. The cool temperatures, frequent rain, grey skies, and delayed leaf growth have affected not only gardeners and backyard naturalists, but also the birds and wildlife we love to watch.
Every spring follows its own rhythm, but birds are deeply connected to timing. Migration, nesting, feeding, and breeding are all synchronized with temperature, daylight, insect emergence, flowering plants, and tree canopy growth. When spring stalls, the entire system slows down.
Over the past several weeks, many backyard bird enthusiasts have noticed fewer insects, delayed blossoms, sparse tree canopies, and hummingbirds lingering around feeders much longer than usual. These are all signs of a season running behind schedule.
One of the biggest impacts of a cold spring is reduced natural food availability. Deciduous trees across Southern Ontario have leafed out much later this year. That may not seem important at first glance, but emerging leaves are essential habitat for caterpillars and insects, which are one of the most important food sources for migrating songbirds and nestlings.
Warblers, chickadees, wrens, orioles, bluebirds, and many other species depend heavily on soft-bodied insects during spring nesting season. When insects emerge later or in lower numbers due to prolonged cold weather, birds must work harder and travel farther to find enough calories.
Even our beloved hummingbirds are feeling the effects.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds arrive in Ontario after an exhausting migration that can span thousands of kilometres. Normally by this point in spring, flowering trees, crabapples, lilacs, columbine, and early garden blooms would provide an abundance of nectar. This year, many of those blossoms appeared late or bloomed less vigorously because of the cool weather.
As a result, hummingbirds are relying more heavily on backyard feeders to replace the energy they would normally gather from flowers and tiny insects. These tiny birds burn enormous amounts of energy every single day. During prolonged cold spells, they can become especially vulnerable.
The good news is that backyard bird lovers can make a real difference during difficult seasons like this one.
Providing reliable, high-energy food sources can help birds conserve energy and recover more quickly from cold nights and long migrations. One of the best options during cool spring weather is high-quality suet. High-fat foods provide concentrated calories that birds can consume efficiently, especially when insects are scarce.
At the Urban Nature Store, we’ve seen strong interest this spring in our high-energy suets, which are attracting woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches, wrens, and even migrating warblers looking for an easy energy boost.
Another excellent option during a delayed spring is no-mess, no-waste sunflower hearts. Because the shells have already been removed, birds can consume the nutritious seed quickly without expending additional energy cracking shells. Sunflower hearts are rich in fat and protein, making them one of the most valuable foods you can offer during challenging weather conditions.
Many backyard birders are also discovering that birds are staying at feeders longer this spring simply because natural food sources are not yet fully available.
Beyond food, clean water is also critically important. Migrating birds become dehydrated easily, and a fresh bird bath can become a busy gathering place during cool, dry stretches between rains. Heated bird baths are no longer necessary this time of year, but keeping water fresh and shallow can help support many species.
And perhaps most importantly, patience matters.
Nature always catches up eventually. The forests will be green. Insects will emerge. Flowers will bloom. Nesting activity will accelerate. But during unusual springs like this one, our backyards can provide a temporary lifeline for tired and hungry birds navigating unpredictable conditions.
One of the joys of bird feeding is knowing that we are not just observers of nature — we can also be helpful participants in it.
So if your feeders have been busier than usual lately, there’s a good reason. The birds need a little extra help this spring, and fortunately, many Canadians are more than happy to lend a hand.
Don’t worry, the warmer weather will eventually arrive, until then, let's lend a hand to our feathered friends.
Paul Oliver
Founder of Urban Nature Store
